India, British Protectorate. A Katar, c.1840

This katar has a 225 mm long double-edged triangular steel blade, magnetic, with semi-sharp edges and having a dull tip, the blade featuring a dual-groove fuller that transforms into a raised diamond-shape point at the end on both sides, the blade embedded into a steel handle, which is also magnetic, the handle incorporating a concave crossguard where it meets the blade and bears a floral motif on the underside, the handle composed of two parallel bars bearing floral motifs on both sides and connected via two ornately-designed crosspieces, measuring approximately 85 mm wide x 355 mm in length, exhibiting surface rust on the handle, fine.

Footnote: The katar or katara, is a type of push dagger from the Indian subcontinent. The weapon is characterized by its H-shaped horizontal hand grip which results in the blade sitting above the user's knuckles. Unique to the Indian subcontinent, it is the most famous and characteristic of Indian daggers.